This made me laugh...

[Jack Daw]

My Dad was a POW in Germany with Ghurkas, and according to his stories, someone (or animal) has to bleed on the blade since it's been drawn. I know which way I'd vote.

A Sikh friend of mine confirmed the cutting requirement. He told me that even when the blade is drawn to sharpen the kukri blade the ghurka usually knicks himself (on purpose, I mean).

[PEEDYC]

Quote from Whidbay78 "Never knew of Ghurkas playing pipes. Given their reputation in combat I suppose they could have played kazoos and nobody would have said much. At least they wouldn't have said it twice."

Their pipe band do not wear kilts but I think it is the Gordon Highlanders trews. They have done so for many years.

Being a Rifle Regiment they march at 140 paces per minute as opposed to the normal 120 for a quick march.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnHRH...eature=related

See them in action at a Edinburgh Military Tatoo

[macshorty]

"Touch the pipes, and lose a hand!" :mrgreen:

[Topsailjon]

Is that a bagpipe tuning knife he's holding? Very similar to a bodhrán tuning knife methinks!

[Mike_Oettle]

The kukri blade called to mind a story I heard about Gurkhas fighting the Afrika Korps in the Western Desert.
Two Gurkhas attacked a German position, and hacked off limbs and (in at least one instance) a head from the enemy. The two survivors surrendered.
As they waited for stretcher bearers to take the wounded away, one of the Gurkhas stood smiling, swinging his kukri. One of the Germans spent the entire time staring at him in horror, white as a sheet, convinced that the man would attack him.
When a Gurkha fights, he fights. When truce is called, he stops. Simple as that.
Regards,
Mike

[The Barry]

Is that a bagpipe tuning knife he's holding? Very similar to a bodhrán tuning knife methinks!

It's a new method of tuning: threaten the piper until he's in tune